The criminal backgrounds of people applying for jobs could be kept from potential employers under a review of rules by the home secretary after a supreme court ruling deemed them “disproportionate”.
Sajid Javid said the UK government needs to “look again” at how much is revealed about individuals who have committed certain crimes when they apply for jobs that require criminal background checks from applicants.
Currently anyone with more than one conviction automatically has details shared with potential employers under a criminal background check that the employer can request as part of their application.
As it stands, current criminal background checks do not take into consideration how long the criminal activity took place and the severity of the incident. The age of the offender is also not taken into consideration, even if the applicant was younger then 18 years old when the criminal activity took place.
Under the review, minor assaults, thefts or drug possession could automatically be wiped clean from records, insuring that potential employers are not disclosed of previous criminal activity from applicants.
Can applicants apply for an SIA Licence with a criminal background?
Those working in the security sector, whether that be as a Door Supervisor or a CCTV Operator will not necessarily get rejected for potential employment if they have a criminal background. However, there are still safeguarding regulations that still apply, and applications still need to disclose their criminal activity accordingly.
Those looking to get an SIA Licence currently need to undergo a criminal background check in the form of a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
If an applicant holds a criminal record, it does not necessarily mean that they will not get an SIA licence. The SIA will make their decision according to:
- Whether the SIA consider your offences relevant to their decision
- The actual sentence or disposal given to you for the offence
- How recent the offences were and how long ago they took place
The SIA currently have an online criminal record indicator that allows applicants to undergo a questionnaire to find out whether or not they would pass the SIA criminality criteria. Applicants with a criminal background are encouraged to undergo the criminal record indicator prior to submitting their SIA Licence application.
If the review of the current criminal background goes through, those with a criminal background may not need to disclose their criminal past to the SIA.
What do you think?
Critics have deemed the criminal background review irresponsible and unnecessary as it raises safeguarding concerns, especially for young and vulnerable people, who under current background checks are protected.
However, others have praised the review, highlighting that younger convicts who want to escape a life of crime must be given a second chance. It also demonstrates that older applicants should not be penalised because of their past mistakes when they were younger.
So. does making a mistake as an 18-year-old, whether that be theft or possession of drugs mean that a 30-year-old applicant should have a difficult time applying for a job due to a mistake they made in their youth? Or should people have to live with the mistakes they made and live with the consequences?
Should employers know about past criminal backgrounds, or does everyone really deserve a second chance?
How to work in the security sector
If you are interested in working in the security sector, whether it be as a Door Supervisor, Security Guard or CCTV Operative, you will need to obtain a SIA Licence.
To obtain a SIA Licence, you will need to complete a course. Once you have completed the course, will you then be able to apply for an SIA Licence and work in the security sector.
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